Summer Reading List

so you can LARP as a cultured person at the beach

This reading list consists of some of the books on the original Cracks in PoMo Syllabus, and others that appear on the summer hotlist in the zine.

1. The Novelist, Jordan Castro: This is probably one of my favorite books to emerge from the so-called “autofiction” or “alt-literature” movement. It features a day (literally not even one full day) in the life of an aspiring writer, describing the minute details with a sense of both humor and reverence. Check out my interview with Jordan on the pod.

2. The World Beyond Your Head, Matthew B. Crawford: This is one of the most mind-blowing and practical works of philosophy I’ve ever read. His critique of modern liberal individualism is deeply rooted in real experience rather than abstract ideology.

3. Self-Made, Tara Isabella Burton: A truly fascinating history of the way we’ve come to conceive of our identities as something self-constructed. She pulls interesting examples from the world of art, literature, and contemporary pop culture to provoke profound questions about our society without falling into cheap ideological tropes. Check out my interview with Tara on the pod.

4. Mariette in Ecstasy, Ron Hansen: Like a mix of Teresa of Avila and The Secret History, Hansen creates an ethereal, horrifyingly beautiful story about a young nun in a rather unconventional convent.

5. A Secular Age, Charles Taylor: In my opinion, one of the greatest contemporary works of philosophy. Everyone needs to read it. Taylor manages to spell out intricate ideas using riveting and relatable examples and a healthy dose of humor. (If 700 pages is too much for you, I suggest you check out James KA Smith’s 160 pages primer entitled How (Not) to be Secular.)

6. Freedom From Reality, DC Schindler (David Jr): A rather dense work of philosophy which offers a valuable critique of the “diabolical” nature of modern liberalism. The book revolves around the dichotomy between the symbolic, which affirms the inherent meaning of things in reality, and the diabolic, which gives individuals the agency to impose a meaning (or not ) onto objects. Check out my interview with David on the pod.

7. The Duty of Delight, Dorothy Day: Most know Dorothy for her social activism. But I highly suggest reading her unabridged diaries to catch a glimpse into her spiritual life. The three main things that emerge from the diaries are her intense appreciation for beauty in art, literature and nature; her humble admission of her own limitations and her awareness of her need to offer all of herself to God through prayer; and the fact that she is a thoroughly modern American (almost) Saint.

8. The Naked Civil Servant, Quentin Crisp: Crisp, a mid-20th century British dandy of sorts, embodies the pre-Stonewall narrative of homosexuality as a form of deviance—from both social norms and Nature. He offers insights into the so-called “horseshoe theory,” and taps into certain Freudian tropes about sexuality that few people would dare to speak of anymore. Read my review here.

9. The Revolt of the Elites, Christopher Lasch: Lasch offers a comprehensive and balanced critique of neoliberalism which is not overly ideological and gives practical advice on how to build societies based on the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity. His psychological acumen allows him to see deeply into certain cultural phenomena, thereby adding an extra level of nuance to his political and economic ideas.

10. Arts and Entertainments, Christopher Beha: Beha’s stories raise profound questions about human nature and ultimate truth. This hilarious work of satire addresses the society of the spectacle, cult of celebrity, and the diabolical dimension of pop culture. It echoes Burton and Schindler’s insights in fiction form.

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